Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an aperture in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a housing mounted in the aperture and a vent valve received in the housing for movement between a closed position blocking flow of fuel vapor from the vehicle fuel tank to a vapor recovery canister and an open position allowing flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the vapor recovery canister. The apparatus also is configured to use vacuum from an external supply source to move the vent valve from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperture and formed to include a venting outlet, and a blocking mechanism for blocking the flow of fuel vapor through the venting outlet. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for using pressurized fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the blocking mechanism from a flow-blocking position to a flow-delivery position. The using mechanism includes a diaphragm appended to the blocking means for movement therewith. The apparatus further includes a second mechanism for using fuel vapor discharged from the fuel tank to provide a pressure cushion acting against the diaphragm to urge the diaphragm from its second position toward its first position.

Abstract: A torque-override cap is provided for use in a filler neck of a tank. The cap includes a housing configured to engage the filler neck, a shell for providing a hand grip, and a ratchet wheel and a biasing mechanism disposed between the shell and the housing for providing a driving connection between the shell and the housing. The shell includes a plurality of drive teeth, while the ratchet wheel includes a plurality of driven teeth configured to engage the drive teeth to provide a torque-limited connection in the cap-advancing direction and a positive connection in the cap-removal direction. The biasing mechanism operates to yieldably bias the driven teeth of the ratchet wheel into engagement with the drive teeth of the shell to establish the torque-limited and positive connections.

Abstract: A pressure relief and venting closure cap for a filler neck of a vehicle gas or coolant system tank having an initial rotary drive which opens a vent valve in response to a differential movement between a cap shell and a vent valve actuator to vent the filler neck and wherein continued rotation of the cap shell causes disconnection of the cap shell and the filler neck. There are two separate drives from the cap shell, one to operate the vent valve and one to rotate a sealing element which screwingly connects the cap to the filler neck. A lost motion connection is provided for the drive to the sealing element so that disconnection can only take place after venting. A torque over-ride is provided for the closure to limit its rotary closing screwing movement after the vent valve is closed. A second drive between the lost motion connection and the vent valve is provided to stop differential rotation between the cap shell and the vent valve actuator when the closure member is rotated.

Abstract: A tank pressure control valve is provided for controlling the discharge of fuel vapor from a fuel tank. In one embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to control a flexible diaphragm operable between a closed position blocking discharge of fuel vapor from the fuel tank and an opened position allowing such discharge. In another embodiment, the tank pressure control valve is configured to use pressurized fuel vapor to move a flexible diaphragm to move a rigid valve member between a closed position and an opened position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperature, a float valve, a ball, and a mechanism for supporting the ball. The housing is formed to include an outlet, and the float valve is movable in the housing between a closed position blocking flow of fuel vapor and liquid fuel through the outlet and an open position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the outlet. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and the ball is positioned in the float chamber. The mechanism for supporting the ball is movable relative to the housing. The support mechanism is configured to support the ball in the float chamber so that the ball is able to move in the float chamber in response to movement of the fuel tank to urge the float valve to its closed position.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for controlling filling of a vehicle fuel tank having a filler neck. The assembly includes a capless fuel and fuel vapor handling system for controlling a filling operation of a fuel tank and the discharge of fuel vapors from the tank and filler neck both during and after the filling operation.

Abstract: A tank venting control valve assembly is provided to regulate discharge of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from a fuel tank. The assembly closes automatically to prevent discharge of agitated liquid fuel from the tank or block overfilling of the tank. The assembly opens automatically after agitation of liquid fuel in the tank has subsided or refueling has been completed to cause the fuel level in the tank to fall.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of liquid through an aperture. The apparatus includes a housing and a float valve disposed in and unattached to the housing. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and is movable in the housing between an aperture-blocking position and an aperture-unblocking position. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the float valve by selectively venting fluid from the float chamber to reduce the buoyancy of the float valve.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided for use in a filler neck sized to receive a fuel-dispensing nozzle. The sealing assembly includes an elastic seal member between the filler neck and a fuel-dispensing nozzle and a seal retainer for clamping the seal member in the filler neck to define in the filler neck an outer chamber communicable with the atmosphere and an inner chamber. The seal is configured to admit the fuel-dispensing nozzle into the inner chamber without coupling the inner and outer chambers in vapor communication. The sealing assembly partitions a fuel-conducting passageway in the filler neck to limit flow of vapors and gases through the passageway during dispensing of fuel into the filler neck and past the sealing assembly.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for mounting a vent valve apparatus in an aperture extending through a wall of a tank containing vapor to be vented. The vent valve apparatus includes a neck keyed to engage a flat edge of the aperture to block rotation of the vent valve apparatus about its longitudinal axis relative to the tank. The vent valve apparatus further includes at least one support arm having a tab that snaps outwardly to engage a collar attached to the underside of the tank wall and retain the vent valve apparatus in its mounted position within the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapors from a fuel tank during refueling. The apparatus includes a conduit for conducting fuel vapor between the fuel tank and a first destination such as a vapor treatment canister situated outside of the fuel tank, a valve operable between a flow-blocking position and a flow-delivery position for selectively blocking flow of fuel vapor through the conduit, and a spring for yieldably biasing the valve toward its flow-blocking position. A venting control chamber is situated in communication with the valve for receiving and using fuel vapor pressure from the fuel tank having a magnitude in excess of a predetermined threshold level to exert an opening force on the valve in opposition to the spring so that the valve is moved to its flow-delivery position. Such movement of the valve permits discharge of pressurized fuel vapor in the tank to said first destination through the conduit.

Abstract: A vapor handling system includes an overfill shut-off valve to provide protection for the canister from exposure to liquid fuel during a tank overfill condition which may be caused by a malfunction of a refueling nozzle. A system is provided for automatically assisting in opening the overfill shut-off valve at the conclusion of the tank refilling process to reestablish fluid communication between a fuel tank and a vapor recovery canister so that adequate fuel vapor venting from the tank to the canister can occur. The overfill shut-off valve is configured to block such fluid communication by closing a venting passageway interconnecting the tank and the canister.

Abstract: A fuel cap includes a float valve assembly for minimizing discharge of liquid fuel splash from the filler neck through the pressure-relief vent passage during normal vehicle operation. The float valve assembly is compatible with a controllable pressure-relief valve in the cap that permits venting of the tank under normal conditions and controls fuel leakage from the cap during a roll-over condition.

Abstract: A fuel cap is provided for use in a fuel system filler neck having a mouth. The cap includes a closure rotatably engageable with the filler neck to cover the filler neck mouth and formed to include a vent passageway extending therethrough in communication with the filler neck. A valve is supported in the vent passageway for movement between passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions. The cap further includes a handle shell and a plunger. The handle shell includes a lost-motion drive member positioned to apply a rotation-inducing drive force to the closure upon a predetermined amount of rotation of the handle shell. The plunger is supported in a space between the handle shell and the closure for movement between inactive and valve-actuating positions.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided for use in a filler neck sized to receive a fuel-dispensing nozzle. The sealing assembly includes a sealing ring between the filler neck and a fuel-dispensing nozzle and a support for locating the seal in the filler neck to define in the filler neck an outer chamber communicable with the atmosphere and an inner chamber. The seal is configured to admit the fuel-dispensing nozzle into the inner chamber without coupling the inner and outer chambers in vapor communication. The sealing assembly partitions a fuel-conducting passageway in the filler neck to limit flow of vapors and gases through the passageway during dispensing of fuel into the filler neck and past the sealing assembly.

Abstract: A recovery system is provided for recovering fuel vapor normally discharged from a fuel system during refueling. The recovery system includes a fuel tank filler neck, a vent system coupled to the filler neck, and a double-sealed cap for actuating the vent system as it is removed from the neck. The neck has a mouth and axially spaced-apart upper and lower side outlets. The double-sealed cap includes a closure rotatably engaging the neck, a first seal for establishing a movable primary seal between the closure and axially outer side wall of the neck and a second seal for establishing a movable secondary seal between the closure and at least an axially inner side wall of the neck. The primary and secondary seals move in an axially outward direction relative to the neck in response to removal of the cap, causing the primary and secondary seals to be broken in sequence as the cap is rotated.

Abstract: A vapor handling system is provided that uses negative pressure created during discharge of liquid fuel from a fuel-dispensing nozzle into a filler tube to actuate a remotely situated vapor venting valve. Actuation of the vapor venting valve permits fuel vapor in the fuel tank connected to the filler tube to be communicated to a vapor treatment canister or the like.

Abstract: A cap includes a closure portion rotatably engaging the filler neck for closing the filler neck and an outer shell for providing a hand grip to permit rotation of the cap about an axis. A clutch is included in the cap for selectively providing an operative connection between the outer shell and the closure portion so that rotation of the outer shell relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction will rotate the closure portion in the cap-removal direction. An actuator is provided for activating the clutch means. The actuator is reciprocable relative to the outer shell in operative directions substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer shell to control activation of the clutch.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system is provided for recovering fuel vapors discharged from a fuel tank having a vent tube and a separate filler neck during refueling. The vapor recovery system includes a partition dividing the filler neck into an outer chamber communicable with the atmosphere and an inner chamber in fluid communication with the fuel tank. The partition includes an aperture for sealingly admitting a fuel dispensing nozzle into the inner chamber without coupling the inner and outer chambers in fluid communication during refueling. A fuel cap may sealingly engage the filler neck to close the mouth of the filler neck. A refueling sensing system is provided for actuating a flow valve during an in initial stage of each refueling activity to permit flow of fuel vapor to the canister. Upon removal of the fuel cap, fuel vapor discharged from the fuel tank is conducted automatically to the canister for processing therein instead of being discharged directly into the atmosphere.